Tourism expected to grow again in 2014, led by strong domestic and European demand
Published on: 13/02/2014

As European Commissioner responsible for tourism, I cannot hide my enthusiasm. The attitudes of Europeans towards travelling published today are a sign of reliable and outstanding performance of the tourism sector, which continues to be the sound economic driver for the EU recovery, said Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President

Tourism has been one of the strongholds of European economy during the recent economic crisis, and according to the results of the new Eurobarometer survey, the positive trend will continue in 2014.

Only 11% of Europeans expect not to go away on holiday in 2014 because of the current economic situation, according to the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on preferences of Europeans towards tourism published today. Four in ten Europeans plan to spend their main holiday in their own country (majority of people in Greece, Croatia, Italy and Bulgaria). Three in ten people expect their main holiday to be in the EU, and over four in ten intend to have at least one of their trips in the EU in 2014. A quarter plans travelling to a non-EU country (24%) but only 16% will have their main holiday outside the EU.

According to the survey, the tourism sector has been an engine of domestic demand-driven economic growth in 2013 as well, with more people choosing to spend holidays outside of their own country but within the EU. In 2013, 38% of Europeans spent their main holiday in another EU country, which is 5 percentage points more compared to 2012. At the same time, only 42% of people spent their main holiday in their own country, a 5 percentage points decrease compared to 2012. Furthermore in 2013, only a fifth (19%) took their main holiday outside the twenty eight countries of the EU, which is 2% less compared to 2012.

As European Commissioner responsible for tourism, I cannot hide my enthusiasm. The attitudes of Europeans towards travelling published today are a sign of reliable and outstanding performance of the tourism sector, which continues to be the sound economic driver for the EU recovery, said Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President